Digestibility of Fiber Components and Reproductive Performance of Sows Fed High Levels of Alfalfa Meal

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Abstract
Two experiments were conducted with second-parity sows fed either 5 or 50% alfalfa meal diets (Exp. 1) or 5, 50 or 95% alfalfa meal diets (Exp. 2) beginning 30 d after breeding and continuing through lactation, 21 d postpartum. Diets in both experiments were calculated to be equal in crude protein, but different in metabolizable energy content. Feed intake was restricted to 2 kg/d during gestation and ad libitum during lactation. Sows were tethered in metabolism crates 45 d after breeding. Total feces were collected during two 5-d collection periods, 60 and 100 d after breeding. Digestibilities of dry matter, fiber components (neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose and cellulose), protein and energy were determined in both experiments for all diets and periods of gestation. In both experiments, there was a reduction (P<.05) in digestibility of dry matter, fiber components, protein and energy with increasing fiber levels for both periods of gestation. In Exp. 1, the decrease in digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose and energy was greater at 100 d gestation than at 60 d in sows fed 50% alfalfa. In Exp. 2, 50 and 95% dietary alfalfa reduced 60-d digestibilities of dry matter, all fiber constituents, energy and protein; these digestibilities were further reduced (P<.05) at 100 d of gestation. In Exp. 1, weight gains of sows fed 5 and 50% alfalfa diets from breeding to 109 d gestation, were 42 and 18 kg/sow (5>50% level, P<.05). In Exp. 2, the gains for sows fed 5, 50 and 95% alfalfa meal through 109 d gestation were 31, 14 and -2 kg/sow, respectively, (5, >50>95% level, P<.05). Weight changes of sows during lactation were not affected by diet in either experiment. Live pigs farrowed and weaned per sow and average birth weights were not significantly affected by dietary treatment. Alfalfa at levels of 50 and 95% of the diet reduced digestibility of dry matter, fiber constituents, energy and protein and this reduction is greatest during the later stages of gestation (after 100 d). This reduction in nutrient utilization reduced gestation weight gains, but did not affect number of pigs farrowed and tended (P<.08) to reduce their birth weights. Only the highest level of alfalfa fed (95%) during gestation and lactation reduced pig weaning weight. Copyright © 1985. American Society of Animal Science.. Copyright 1985 by American Society of Animal Science

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